We’re going to Ireland! Read our letter below for details on what that’s all about!

Note: I’ve also added this letter to a tab on the top of this page (far right) so that it doesn’t get lost among other posts.

Dear friends and family,

Ryan and I (Tiffany) have an incredible opportunity to travel to Ireland this summer for a 12-day mission trip through our church, Houston’s First Baptist Church. We are so excited about this trip, as it will be our first mission trip together as a married couple. We each have been on mission-focused trips individually, and Ryan was actually able to go to Ireland a few years ago through our church with a very small team to explore how our church can assist churches in Ireland. Since then, there have been a few trips back, and we are honored to be able to join the team in July!

We’ll be leaving on July 19 and returning July 30. While there, we’ll be hosting some fitness-centered outreaches, doing a lot of praying for the community, and assisting the pastor in Sligo with whatever he needs. As you may know, fitness is one of both Ryan’s and my greatest passions! I have the privilege of teaching fitness classes at our Fitness Center in our very church, and absolutely love inspiring others toward not only health, but also building up our bodies in godliness in order to serve Christ effectively. On this trip, we’ll be able to use the passions that make us come alive to spread the gospel and bring hope to people across the world.

We are asking that you partner with us as we move forward in faith, and commit to praying for us and our team in both our preparation of the trip, and our time in Ireland. We know that it is only by God’s grace that we know Him and that He calls us His own. Our desire is that many would come to know this same grace, and that the Lord would use us to draw people to Him. Would you join us in this prayer and plea for Ireland to know the one true God? Pray that we would be obedient to His work, and faithful servants as we follow Him. Pray also for the pastors in Ireland, that they would be strengthened and encouraged today and in the months to come. And pray that God would already begin to soften hearts and prepare the way for conversations that will take place while we are there.

Another way you can help us, if you are so led, is by giving financially. We don’t know the exact costs right now because a lot of it depends on airfare, but we have been told that this trip will cost around $3000 per person ($6000 total for Ryan and myself). Please take a moment to pray and consider contributing to this cost. We know that when the Lord calls us to share His good news, He calls all of us together. It has been such a blessing for Ryan and me to take part in the Lord’s work by praying for and giving to those He has called to His work. Now that He is calling us to go, we are asking that you would take part in praying for us, and if led, giving toward our trip.

If you would like to contribute, you can send your gift through the online form at HoustonsFirst.org/Missions under the “mission trips” column. Checks can be made out to Houston’s First Baptist Church – memo: Ryan/Tiffany Butterfras – Ireland (mail to “Missions Office – 7401 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024”).

During the trip, I plan on journaling my daily observations and experiences, and meditating on God’s work. Upon our return, I will joyfully post a report of the trip on this blog, as we will be ecstatic to share what God is doing and how He’s drawing people to Himself in Ireland. If you’d like to stay updated with what’s going on in our lives, and preparation for the trip, you can find us on this site!

We are so excited about this summer, and are amazed and humbled that the Lord would send us to show Himself to the people He loves so dearly. We move forward in faith and boldness, believing that Christ has equipped us with the tools and strength necessary to follow Him in obedience. Please let us know if you have any questions about this trip, or would like more details on anything. We will gladly provide information to the best of our ability!

Trusting in Him,
Ryan & Tiffany Butterfras

“I will sow her for Myself in the land.
I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion,
And I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people!’
And they will say, ‘You are my God!’”

Hosea 2:23